Mass Introductory Rites Help Create An Atmosphere Of Faith

The new Roman Missal’s General Introduction explains that, “The Introductory Rites serve the purpose of ensuring that the gathering faithful establish communion and prepare themselves properly to listen to God’s Word and to celebrate the Eucharist” (46).  The Church, from our earliest centuries, realized that an atmosphere of faith needed to be created before the Eucharist began.  

Creating this atmosphere of faith is crucial to worship as we come into God’s presence.  Our Introductory Rites move us away from our daily concerns into an experience of God’s love in our worship.  The Introductory Rites also help us bring our daily lives into God’s loving presence.  Both movements most likely occur as we gather for worship.  

However, we must remember that our daily lives are never separated from our worship, nor is our worship something only done on Sunday with no connection with our daily lives.  Our lives and worship are intimately woven together.  When Mass concludes, it actually begins!  The priest or deacon says, “Go now in peace to serve the Lord.”  We are sent forth to live the love that has nourished us.  The Mass is both the source ( or fountain) of our lives during the coming week and the summit of how we have lived that week.

We who had Sunday Missals (Latin on one side; English on the opposite page so we could pray along) remember that we called the Mass’ first part “Mass of the Catechumens” and the second part “Mass of the Faithful.”  With catechumens no longer visible in our parishes until Vatican II, we may not have understood these two descriptions.

“Mass of Catechumens” and “Mass of the Faithful” were formally introduced into the Roman Missal between the 9th and 11th centuries.  However, the early Church did dismiss catechumens (those being instructed in the Gospel, the Creed and Prayer) either before the Gospel or definitely before the Prayers of the Faithful as in 6th century Rome.  Only those baptized remained for the Eucharistic Meal after accepting the Gospel and Creed through baptism.  

Dismissing our catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (those baptized in other Christian Churches) is encouraged again today. Some parish RCIA leaders struggle with this for several reasons:  1) new members need to learn how to participate in Mass; and 2) it seems inhospitable.  

Regarding No.1 – Catholic worship is highly symbolic, which is often not understandable to new members.  They must be gradually led to understand the various Mass parts and prayers.  One example of how we can do this is using incense in our faith-sharing session. Light a pot of incense at the end of our gathering as we pray.  

We could explain that just as the incense rises up to heaven, so our prayers ascend to God (one meaning of the incense).  We can do this with other elements, e.g. singing/reciting the “Lord, have mercy” from the Penitential Rite.  Gradually, they learn the meaning of our symbols and prayers.

Regarding No. 2, the thought that “it seems inhospitable” – The opposite is true.  We would never invite friends to dinner only to tell them that they may not eat with us although they may remain at the dinner table. Now that would be rude!  

We “send them forth” (dismissal) to continue feeding upon God’s Word (the Psalms call this food).  So we still include them in the Mass by feeding them in a different way. They must first accept living the Gospel before their baptism and admission to the family table.  The RCIA ritual does allow us not to dismiss them for a serious pastoral reason.  We are to address some words to them about how we look forward to the day when they will share with us in the Lord’s Supper.  

Father Sauer continues his look into the Mass in the July 1 issue of The Message.